Local Authors Bring Many Talents, Interests to ReadLocal at MidPointe Library West Chester this Saturday
More than 25 local, independently published authors are expected to greet the public during the ReadLOCAL Indie Author Fair Saturday, September 29, at MidPointe Library, 9363 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester.
Authors will welcome visitors from 10 a.m. to noon in the library’s Community Room, said Martha Matthews, Information/Reference Programming Librarian. There is no admission fee.
The popular program, the second of its kind at the West Chester location, gives readers a chance to meet authors from the immediate area and around Ohio and ask about their writing processes and backgrounds. Visitors can also buy books and have them signed by the authors.
This year’s contingent represents a wide variety of genres in fiction and non-fiction and includes a 13-year-old eighth grader from Mason.
Authors expected to attend include:
Paige Addams of Columbus, whose genre is adult romance. She is the author of “Tales of Ejoma.”
Timothy B. Barner
Timothy B. Barner of Trenton hails from Upstate New York. A widower with two young boys, Timothy is the author of Eyes of God, a novel that reveals a day in the life of a community as seen through God’s eyes. He is also the author of The Sasquatch Diaries, a Christian humor novel for young adults. Timothy is currently working on a play, “Tying Up the Tomatoes,” that follows a family during their visits to a favorite Dayton restaurant and the changing semantics that ensue along the way. His writing goal is to reveal a fresh, realistic perspective on today’s world.
Michelle Bollanger
Michelle Bolanger of Dayton is the author of the “Cotiere Chronicles” : “The Kiss”, “The Touch” and “The Light” as well as the contemporary Christian stand-alones, “Saving Detroit” and “Safe Cages” (both part of the “Challenged Faith Novels”). At times her subjects revolve around issues in the news such as human trafficking and homosexuality as well as man-woman relationships and families. She is currently working on a story based on the Bible’s Book of Ruth. When she’s not writing, Michelle works full-time as an administrative assistant.
Carol Cartaino
Carol Cartaino of Seamon, Ohio, has more than forty years of professional experience in the book world. She was a trade book editor for Prentice-Hall Inc. in New Jersey for ten years and spent the next decade as editor-in-chief of Writer’s Digest Books in Cincinnati. Since that time she’s been a freelance editor, ghostwriter and adviser to authors all over the country from her small farm in Adams County. She has written or co-authored “Myths and Truths About Coyotes,” “Get Organized, Get Published!”, “It Happened in Ohio,” and “Clutter’s Last Stand.”
Stacy Dickman
Stacy Dickman of Fairfield Township is the author of “Labeled : Redefining the Woman God Made You to Be.” The full-time mom and part-time blogger gets her inspiration and opportunities for creativity from her husband and three children. She has a bachelor’s degree in health and sports studies from Miami University and a master’s degree in biblical studies from Liberty University. She writes to encourage women of all ages to find beauty in the everyday.
Richard L. Dumont
Richard L. DuMont of Cincinnati has a lifelong interest in Native Americans and their culture. He’s been writing since high school, producing short stories, poems and novels. A graduate of Xavier University, Richard took creative writing courses at the University of Cincinnati and wrote the novel, “Hunkpapa Sioux,” in which he combined the two passions of his life. His second novel, Johnny Hunter, was published in May. He’s currently working on a sequel. Richard is a Vietnam veteran.
Tammi Ector
Tammi Ector of Hamilton is a writer, a blogger, a speaker, a fitness instructor and a life coach. Pink Collar Savvy & Chic, her holistic coaching agency, enables her to serve as a powerful change agent for women who face challenges that negatively impact their personal and professional lives. “Having transitioned from domestic violence mess to sustained success,” she tells her own story of transformation to encourage, inspire and support other women. Her first novel is “Seasons of Her Soul.”
Linda Riesenberg Fisler
Linda Riesenberg Fisler of Middletown is the author of the Blind series (Blind Influence, Blind Persuasion, and Blind Alliance) that follows a senator, an MI6 agent, and a star female attorney, asking the question : “Can three people change the course of history averting the dysfunctional divide we face today?” Linda is also an award-winning artist, teacher of oil painting and the producer/host of two podcasts. She recently launched The Blind Series Network in which she presents author readings of her work and discussions about the series.
Beth Gully
Beth Gully of Lebanon is the author of the children’s picture book, “The Other Side of Christmas,” an upside-down book that blends the Santa story with the birth of Jesus. She began BT Graphics in 1990 with a strong focus on logo design and branding, has won many prestigious awards for her trend-setting designs and recognition from fellow designers, peers and clients.
Piper Hawkins
Piper Hawkins, age 13, of Mason, is an eighth grader who published her first book at age 9 and her second book at age 12. Piper had created more than 400 “homemade” books and dreamed of one day writing and publishing a book at a young age. A chance meeting with children’s author Barney Saltzberg at the 2011 Books by the Banks inspired Piper. Her dream was fulfilled before her 10th birthday with the 2014 release of her first book, “Visions of Light: A Christmas Story.” Her latest book is “The Puppy Tooth Fairy.”
Janet Kassalen
Janet Kassalen is a new local author, having published her first book, “Flip Flap Try...A Cardinal’s Journey” in July 2017. Janet’s stories aim to encourage and bring joy to children of all ages. Her second children’s book will be about a penguin named Squeaky who can’t talk like other penguins but who becomes a hero. Janet and her husband live in Morrow, Ohio. She spends lots of time with volunteer organizations and serves as principal violist for the Cincinnati Civic Orchestra.
Mike Kunze
Mike Kunze of West Chester has been an illustrator, a designer, a video producer, a web programmer, a digital marketer, and a creative director, all of which came in handy when it came to self-publishing. All his life, Mike wanted to be an author. He has written two Park Hacks amusement park guidebooks. He helped his mom create new editions of her Christian fiction adventure books when her first publisher closed. Now he is building a company and a membership site that will help others realize the dream of self-publishing their own books.
Frank M. Lee
Frank M. Lee (1943-2012) is the author of “Nekkid,” a memoir. Lee had a positive attitude and humor that enabled him to live a successful life despite suffering from polio as an impoverished child in rural Tennessee and enduring abuse from a family member after the death of his mother. He spent years in the hospital but eventually recovered sufficiently to rise above his station to become a successful radio and TV personality. Lee’s positive attitude helped him live his life with determination and humor. His memoir will be presented at ReadLOCAL by his partner, Connie Breitbeil.
Heather Lester
Heather Lester of Cincinnati uses her writing ability to encourage young readers to celebrate their individuality. For literary inspiration she draws upon the adventures she and her husband share in raising three children. Heather’sfirst book, “I Love You For You,” was released in February and won an IndieReader Discovery Award. She has two new books due out this fall, “I Can Be Kind” and “The Green Scarf,” both for children. The latter book is the first in her Everyday Imagination series.
Bryan W. Marshall
Bryan W. Marshall of West Chester is professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Miami University. He is the co-author of “The Committee : A Study of Policy, Power, Politics and Obama’s Historic Legislative Agenda on Capitol Hill” based on a political journal kept by Bruce Wolpe, who was senior adviser to Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Ca), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (Photo from Miami University website)
Rock Neelly of Lebanon is the author of the adult mystery, “The Babylon Blues.”
M. Tambura Omoeile
M. Tambura Omoeile of Monroe is a retired college professor who taught several years in Nairobi, Kenya, nine years in Wisconsin and many years at local colleges and universities in Kansas and Ohio. She is currently a library associate at MidPointe Library Monroe. Tambura has worked in criminal justice institutions in the areas of local probation and state parole. Her background in criminal justice led her to write “A Gift For Daddy Gone Wrong!” She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice from Wright State University, a master’s in criminal justice from Xavier University and a doctorate in sociology from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati.
Kristen Otte
Kristen Otte of Dayton writes funny books for kids that parents can trust. She is the author of “The Adventures of Zelda” chapter book series about a pug who can’t say no to adventure. Her new, hilarious middle-grade series, Alien Kid, tells the story of Charlie, a mind-reading alien trying to fit in at middle school.
Lisa Powell
Lisa Powell of Hamilton spent fifteen years in the restaurant business before realizing her dreams of becoming an author. She now puts her dreams to paper while playing butler, valet, chief cook-and-bottle-washer to a super, always-hungry husband, two rescue kitties, two pound puppies, a school of inherited guppies and two amazing horses. She is the author of the CatSkill Trilogy,
“IOU a Horse” and “Road to Fearless.” Her works have been recognized by the international Cat Writers Association. Lisa’s first published story was a finalist for a Muse Medallion, along with those of long-standing published authors.
Helen Rogers
Helen Rogers of Oxford is an author of five books who has served as a teacher for Seasons Of Life and as a speaker for Christian and professional organizations around the country for over 30 years. Her message recalls the Scripture : “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Helen has published the following inspirational works : For Just A Time As This, Inspirations: From the Heart, Hospitality: Sharing Our Love, Global Opportunities: My Space of Employment, Impacting the WORLD through the WORD, 68 Inspirational Promises of God for This Generation, and Impacting the WORLD through Hospitality (2019). Helen has also served as an advocate for victims of domestic violence through the Young Women’s Christian Association of Hamilton.
Tom Sakmyster of Mason is the author of “The Last Shaker Apostate: Augustus Wager and Union Village, Ohio.”
Mike Sherer
Mike Sherer of West Chester wrote a screenplay, “Hamal_18” that was produced in Los Angeles and released directly to DVD. His mystery/fantasy novel, “A Cold Dish,” published by James Ward Kirk Fiction, is available in paperback and digital format. He has published thirteen short stories and three novellas, with another short story and novella under contract to be published. Mike has completed a novel titled “Shadytown” and is working on the novel “Souls of Nod”. He is the author of two blogs, “Flanging,” and a travel blog called “American Locations.”
J.T. Townsend
J.T. Townsend of Wyoming, Ohio, is a “True Crime Historian,” freelance writer and lifelong resident of Cincinnati, according to his website. Formerly with Snitch Magazine, J.T.’s work has appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Magazine, Word Magazine and Clews. His work has also appeared in the 2008 British documentary, “Conversations with a Serial Killer.” His first book, “Queen City Gothic” is a regional bestseller that showcased thirteen of Cincinnati’s most gripping, unsolved, cold cases. His new book, Queen City
Notorious, features Cincinnati’s most scandalous gothic murders.
Eleanor Tremayne
Eleanor Tremayne is a California native now residing in Liberty Township. Eleanor has a master’s degree in literature and has taught Advanced Placement English and Creative Writing on the high school and college levels. Upon retirement she started writing her first novel, “Destiny Revisited,” a realistic romantic fiction. This year the sequel, “Destiny Revealed,” was released. Eleanor is currently writing “Seven Days in Lebanon” based on her grandmother’s exile from St. Petersburg in 1917 and her marriage to the last Prince of Kiva.
Celeste Walker
Celeste Walker of West Chester is a mystery writer who became a published author in 2015. A Cincinnati, Ohio, native, she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Cincinnati and holds a certification in volunteer administration. She and her family live in West Chester, where she is a licensed social worker.
Rebecca Waters